Options appraisal for Aboyne Bridge to be presented to community in January
Two community drop-in sessions are to be held in January to present five possible options for the future use of Aboyne Bridge.
The events follow a structural assessment of the bridge in October, and the subsequent development of a detailed options appraisal by environmental and engineering consultants WSP.
The appraisal report, which is being shared publicly, outlines options open to the council ranging from taking minimal action – which maintains active travel over the route – to a full replacement of the bridge.
The first public session will be held on Tuesday, January 14, at Aboyne Community Centre, with the second event at Birse Hall on Tuesday, January 21. Both sessions will run from 10am-4pm where the community will be briefed on the options in further detail.
The options are as follows:
Option 1: No works undertaken. Active travel for pedestrians and cyclists would remain across the bridge. Minor repair works would be required to reinstate surfacing to allow temporary fencing and steel plates to be removed. Vehicles would not be able to use the bridge.
Option 2: Limited strengthening and repair (Estimated cost: £1.5-£3million). Vertical ‘pins’ would be installed in the structure, with removal and replacement of the existing concrete deck. The works would allow vehicles to use the bridge upto a capacity of 18-tonne including emergency vehicles. This is the preferred option for consideration.
Option 3: Full strengthening and repair (Estimated cost: £10-£15milllion). A substantial temporary structure would be installed under the existing bridge to allow more extensive repairs to the critical elements of the main span, and replacement of the bridge deck. The temporary structure would be removed on conclusion of the repair works.
Option 4: Construction of a single lane modular structure next to the existing bridge (Estimated cost: £5-£8million). A semi-permanent bridge would be built to provide a route for all traffic types under a traffic light arrangement, while the existing bridge would remain open for active travel.
Option 5: Construction of a permanent replacement bridge (Estimated cost: £30million). The existing bridge would be demolished and replaced on the same site, subject to listed building consent.
Aberdeenshire Council’s Head of Roads & Infrastructure, Philip McKay, said: “We are very pleased to now have this detailed options appraisal for consideration. Each of the options has its advantages and disadvantages, with costs, timescales, and the long-term use of the bridge all being key factors in the council's decision-making.
“We would like to thank the community for their patience while this detailed options appraisal was being produced and we look forward to speaking with locals in-person during January’s drop-in sessions.”
Following the public session, a report on the options appraisal will be brought before Marr Area Committee for consideration before being presented to the Infrastructure Services Committee in due course.
The full options appraisal document and further information about the drop-in sessions can be found on the Engage Aberdeenshire hub at: https://engage.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/aboyne-bridge